First, the intro. Oh my fuck, the intro. Out of my probably 3+ times going through Vanilla, this is the first time I've died on the first series of battles -- and to be honest, I didn't even know there was a special scene if you did.

These battles are pure luck. If you don't get Fume to proc, you're gone. The second battle I got so unlucky with that proc that it gave me more game overs than the entirety of Crossbone Isle and Venus Lighthouse combined. The sheer lack of options is what made it irritating for me, though I'm told what lies ahead is much more difficult.
We shall see!